Hair is going to London, new Broadway cast from 9 Mar

Canadian musician Kyle Riabko and American idol finalists Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young will return to Broadway to lead a new 'Tribe' in the Tony Award-winning musical Hair, that will debut on 9 Mar 2010.

Riabko, who made his Broadway debut as 'Melchior' in 'Spring Awakening,' has been cast as 'Claude.' DeGarmo, who made her Broadway debut in 'Hairspray' and recently starred off-Broadway in 'The Toxic Avenger' will play 'Sheila.' Young, who made his Broadway debut as 'Kenickie' in 'Grease' rassumes the role of 'Berger.'

The new principle cast will also feature Annaleigh Ashford (Jeanie), Jeannette Bayardelle (Dionne), *Vanessa Ray (Crissy), Wallace Smith (Hud) and Jason Wooten (Woof).
Vanessa Ray took over the role from Allison Case when she was injured last year, and will continue on with the new cast. Case will be re-joining the original Broadway "Tribe" when it heads to London.

Completing the ensemble are Justin Badger, Nicholas Belton, Larkin Bogan, Natalie Bradshaw, Catherine Brookman, Briana Carlson-Goodman, Antwayn Hopper, Jay Armstrong Johnson, Rachel Bay Jones, Mykal Kilgore, Josh Lamon, Nicole Lewis, Anastacia McClesky, Paris Remillard, Arbender Robinson, Kate Rockwell, Cailan Rose, Rashidra Scott, Jen Sese, Lawrence Stallings, Terrance Thomas and Emma Zaks.

As previously announced, the original Broadway cast will be moving to the West End to open at London's Gilegud Theatre in Apr 2010.

Oskar Eustis, Artistic Director of the Public Theater commented, "We've got a new Tribe- utterly unique, and just as talented and joyous as our first company. They are going through a full rehearsal period with Diane Paulus and her wonderful team, and when they burst out on the 9th of March, it's going to be an electric event."

The current Broadway cast features Gavin Creel (Claude), Caissie Levy (Sheila), Will Swenson (Berger), Kacie Sheik (Jeanie), Vanessa Ray (Crissy), Darius Nichols (Hud), Bryce Ryness (Woof) and Sasha Allen (Dionne).

HAIR opened at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre on 31 Mar 2009, following previews from 6 Mar and is currently selling tickets through to 5 Sep 2010.

The musical received excellent reviews: Emotionally rich revival. (NY Times); A smile-inducing celebration of life and freedom. (NY Daily News); The most exciting new show in town. (Bloomberg); Gives Broadway a welcome jolt of energy. (The Record); If this explosive production doesn't stir something in you, it may be time to check your pulse."(Variety).

With book and lyrics by James Rado and Gerome Ragni, and music by Galt MacDermot, HAIR is directed by Diane Paulus.

The musical depicts the birth of a cultural movement in the 60's and 70's that changed America forever: the musical follows a group of hopeful, free-spirited young people who advocate a lifestyle of pacifism and free-love in a society riddled with intolerance and brutality during the Vietnam War.

As they explore sexual identity, challenge racism, experiment with drugs and burn draft cards, the "tribe" in HAIR creates a message of hope, peace and change that continues to resonate with audiences 40 years later.

HAIR was a phenomenal success when it first played on Broadway in the 60's, and again in 2008, when it was a hit at the Delacorte Theater.

The musical is being produced on Broadway by The Public Theater, Jeffrey Richards, Jerry Frankel, Gary Goddard Entertainment, Kathleen K. Johnson, Nederlander Productions, Inc., Fran Kirmser Productions/Jed Bernstein, Marc Frankel, Broadway Across America, Barbara Manocherian/WenCarLar Productions, JK Productions/Terry Schnuck, Andy Sandberg, JAM Theatricals, The Weinstein Company / Norton Herrick, Jujamcyn Theaters, Joey Parnes and by special arrangement with Elizabeth Ireland McCann.

HAIR was the show that, in 1967, officially opened The Public Theater's long-time home on Lafayette Street.

HAIR: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical has the distinction of being the first off-Broadway musical to transfer to Broadway, (It moved to Broadway on 29 Apr 1968 and ran for 1,873 performances).